Treasure Valley windstorms can drop a surprising amount of debris in a single afternoon, and fall cleanup leaves many yards buried in leaves, branches and dead plants. Before you start stuffing it all into the trash cart, here is how to handle yard debris safely, what your options are for getting rid of it, and when it makes sense to call in help.
Safety First After a Storm
- Stay away from downed power lines. Assume any fallen line is live. Call Idaho Power and keep everyone, including pets, well back.
- Look up. Broken limbs can hang in trees and fall later. If a large limb is caught overhead or a tree is leaning, call a tree professional before working underneath it.
- Use the right gear. Gloves, eye protection and sturdy shoes are a must. If you use a chainsaw, add hearing protection, chaps and a helmet, and never cut above shoulder height.
- Work in daylight and do not rush. Storm cleanup is when a lot of injuries happen.
Step 1: Sort as You Go
Sorting makes disposal easier and cheaper:
- Leaves, grass and small twigs: these can often go in yard waste or compost programs.
- Branches and limbs: cut into manageable lengths and stack them neatly.
- Brush and shrubs: pile separately from leaves.
- Non-yard debris: broken fencing, patio furniture, shingles or trash should stay separate, because most yard waste programs will not accept them.
Step 2: Use What You Can on Your Property
Not all yard debris has to leave your property:
- Mulch leaves with your lawn mower and leave them on the grass, or use them in garden beds over winter.
- Start a compost pile for leaves, grass and small plant material.
- Chip branches if you have access to a chipper, and use the chips on paths or beds.
Step 3: Check Your Local Options
What you can put out depends on where you live and who your trash hauler is. Some Treasure Valley cities offer curbside yard waste or compost carts, and some run seasonal leaf collection in the fall. Rules about what goes in, how branches must be cut and bundled, and when pickups happen vary from city to city.
Both Ada County and Canyon County operate solid waste facilities that accept yard waste from residents. Hours, accepted materials and fees change, so check your county's solid waste website or call ahead before loading up a truck. Have the load covered or tied down, since uncovered loads are a common reason for being turned away or charged extra.
Common Yard Debris Jobs We See
Every season looks a little different across the valley. In spring, it is usually wind-damaged limbs and the dead growth left from winter. In summer, homeowners clear dry brush and weeds along fences and ditches, especially on larger lots in Kuna, Star, Middleton and Parma where vegetation can spread quickly. Fall brings mountains of leaves, spent garden plants and pruned branches, and landlords often call us to reset an overgrown rental yard before new tenants move in. Real estate agents call when a listing needs a cleared yard before photos.
Whatever the season, the job is the same for us: load it, haul it, and leave the yard raked and ready. If the cleanup reveals other projects, like a rotting fence line, a collapsing shed or an old play set, we can handle that in the same visit so you are not scheduling three different companies.
Step 4: Know When to Call a Hauler
DIY disposal works well for a few bags of leaves. It gets harder when:
- The pile is bigger than what fits in your trash cart or truck bed
- You have large limbs, big brush piles or whole shrubs
- Debris is mixed with broken fencing, outdoor furniture or other junk
- You do not have a truck or trailer, or the time to make multiple trips
- You are a landlord or property manager dealing with a neglected yard
That is where yard debris and brush removal from Evergreen Junk Solutions comes in. Our crew loads everything into our open-top dump trailer, including branches, leaves, brush and the broken fence panel or patio set that came down in the storm, and rakes the area clean when we are done.
How Yard Debris Removal Is Priced
Like our other hauling, yard debris is priced by volume, meaning how much of our trailer it fills. A full trailer is $500, and smaller loads are quoted from photos. Text a photo of the pile to (208) 297-3326 and we will give you a price range right away. We confirm the final price on site before loading.
Prevent the Next Mess
A little prep can reduce the cleanup after the next storm:
- Prune dead and weak branches in late winter, before spring windstorms.
- Clear brush and dry vegetation away from homes, fences and outbuildings, especially before fire season.
- Secure outdoor furniture, trampolines and covers before high winds.
- Keep gutters clear in fall so leaves do not back up.
If your yard has become overgrown, our light landscaping and property cleanup services can help you reset it and keep future maintenance down.
Yard Debris Removal Across the Treasure Valley
Evergreen Junk Solutions is veteran owned, licensed and insured, and based in Nampa. We haul yard debris throughout Nampa, Boise, Meridian, Kuna, Star, Middleton, Parma and beyond. Open 7 days a week, 8am to 5pm. Call or text (208) 297-3326, or request a free estimate online.